Exaggerated blood pressure response to exercise is associated with subclinical vascular impairment in healthy normotensive individuals

Background This study was designed to evaluate the possible association between an exaggerated blood pressure (BP) response to exercise and subclinical vascular impairment in normotensive individuals. Methods The study participants consisted of 92 untreated normotensive men (aged 42 ± 9 years) without a history of cardiovascular disease or stroke. A graded exercise test was conducted using a bicycle ergometer, and the mean arterial pressure (MAP) during submaximal exercise was evaluated. The brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) was measured as an index of arterial stiffness. The second peak of radial systolic BP (SBP2) was used as an estimate of central BP. The albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR) values were determined as the mean of two nonconsecutive spot urine specimens. Results Compared with individuals with a normal response (MAP z-score < +1.0, n = 60), those with an exaggerated BP response to exercise (MAP z-score ≥ +1.0, n = 32) exhibited significantly higher baPWV (1412 ± 158 vs. 1250 ± 140 cm/s), radial SBP2 (122 ± 11 vs. 106 ± 13 mmHg), and greater log-ACR (0.93 ± 0.30 vs. 0.59 ± 0.23 mg/gCre). Multiple regression analysis revealed that an exaggerated BP response to exercise was significantly associated with baPWV (β = 0.198, P= .043), radial SBP2 (β = 0.156, P = .049), and log-ACR (β = 0.276, P = .006) independent of potential confounding factors. Conclusions These results suggest that subclinical vascular impairment is associated with an exaggerated increase in BP during exercise even in the absence of clinical hypertension.